The Babe Ruth State Tournament for girls softball will be held in Merrill this year, and Merrill teams will compete in most divisions over the coming weekend. Pool play will happen on Friday and Saturday, and finals will take place on Sunday.
A full slate of action will take place at the MARC, with 30 teams in five divisions hoping to fashion a state championship and the right to advance further in most divisions.
Competition will include 8U teams this year, and Merrill will meet Wausau at 9:30 a.m. on Sat. and Wis. Rapids at 2:00 p.m. the same day in a three-team bracket.
They could play at 10:00 a.m. and in the title game at 12:30 p.m. on Sun.
Seven 10U teams will square off. Merrill will play at noon and 4:00 p.m. on Fri.
Crossover rounds will be held Sat. and Sun. before the championship game at noon on Sun.
Nine teams will compete in three pools in 12U, with Merrill playing at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Fri. All crossover and elimination play will be completed on Sat., and the title game will take place at 10 a.m. on Sun.
Seven teams will vie for the state championship in 14U in two pools. Merrill will play 10 a.m. on Fri., and 8 a.m. on Sat.
Cross-over play will be held Sat. into Sun., and the title game will be played at noon.
The 16U field will include four teams, but Merrill will not be among those squads.
The trophy game will be played at 10 a.m. on Sun.